25 Years on

Yes, this is a Hawkwind album! NOT a spin-off project, despite all of the legalese. I knew that the minute I first picked up the LP in my old neighborhood record store. It was a secret no one was trying to keep.This is basically the same personnel as on Quark, Strangeness, and Charm and PXR 5. Ben Wiseman at The Audio Archiving Company did a faithful job with the remaster. Hearing this after putting it in the player reminded me why I still prefer physical formats to other ways of listening to good music. This whole record sounds really good, and all the songs have stood the test of time conceptually, but hearing Freefall with the full range of bass and its timbral character was revelatory. Hawkwind always stood at the crossroads of psychedelia, proto-punk, metal, and electronica. This album is a reminder of how they were able to plant their flag in that rare space. My only regret here is that I always loved what Nik Turner contributed to Hawkwind, and he isn't a part of this era. Having played in a few bands, I understand the esthetic and interpersonal fissures that can develop, so it is okay. Next I will probably pick up Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music, since that one reflects the jazzier, proggier aspect of the band. Meanwhile I'm immensely enjoying this!

This recording of Hawklords was a stunning find. Since few ever even heard of this recording, the fact it was re-printed on CD was shocking to me. I know of only one copy around here of the original album and I have a very large pool of friends that have/had extensive collections of albums. As Hawkwind albums go, this double album/CD is pretty good and very listenable. PSI POWER is the song I was introduced to on this release. It's as good as any of Hawkwind's better songs. The double album, as just about any double album, is full of fill. But there are at least 6-8 tracks on this rarity definitely worth listening to and very much worth the price this disc would cost you IF you're a HAWKWIND fan. For those that are curious, Hawkwind was a Space Rock genre type of band not strong on vocals but none the less a very stunning example of that type of music. They use an outrageous amount of phasing and stereo effects, utilizing guitars, synths, bass and percussion. For good examples, try songs 'Master Of The Universe', Lord Of Light, Brainstorm, and Spirit Of The Age. If you're a real fan of this band, this release is a MUST BUY....Period! Others are 'Doremifasolatido', 'In Search Of Space' and 'Quark, Strangeness and Charm'.

For years I had this LP on vinyl (imported) and have always loved it. It's more psychedelic than the usual Hawkwind music and has some subliminal stuff in the PSI POWER song. Was pleased that there was an extra CD to go with this original LP. Fantastic!

Big Fan, Just Getting Too Know, Thanks.

trust me if you know anything about this band buy it. Trust me if you know nothing about this band-- buy it.

****************PersonnelRobert Calvert - lead vocals, acoustic guitar (track 7)Dave Brock - acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, backing vocalsHarvey Bainbridge - bass guitar, backing vocalsSteve Swindells - keyboardsSimon King - drums (tracks 4,7,8), Congas (track 6)Martin Griffin - drums (tracks 1,2,5,6)Simon House - violin (tracks 6,7,8)Henry Lowther - trumpet (track 1)Les McClure - whisper voice (track 4)*************Technical Info:I have the 2009 Cherry Records/Atomhenge remaster, and the 1989 Virgin/Charisma master. Neither suffers from any of the 'loudness war' problems that plague modern rock remastering. There is no clipping or mastering induced distortion, and there is very little in the way of dynamic range compression. Both issues are fantastic remasters. The eq of the two versions is surprisingly similar. I would buy the 2009 version though has more clarity and separation of the instruments. This probably comes down to better digital equipment and more computing power today than 20 years ago.Once again, thanks Cherry for not screwing this up and for giving us fans the best possible product.***************MusicBecause of a legal challenge over the name Hawkwind, Brock dissolved Hawkwind and started Hawklords. It is essentially a Hawkwind album though, as the name change was not motivated by creative reasons, but only as a legal strategy.The music on this record like the previous "Quark, Strangeness, and Charm" is not what one thinks of when the name Hawkwind is seen. It is tight, professional, focused, and very New Wavey; and not at all fuzzy jamming space prog. The production and recording were like-wise top notch.Calvert again takes the lead, writing some of Hawk's best lyrics, touching on telepathy ("Psi Power"), sky diving ("Free Fall"), drug misuse ("Flying Doctor"), heroism ("The Only Ones"), espionage ("The Dead Dreams Of The Cold War Kid"), and the dehumanization of the industrial age "The Age Of The Micro Man". It is a real tour-de-force of writing.The 2009 bonus material is really nice addition this time around. The first three tracks are the least interesting of the material, featuring single versions of "PSI Power", "Death Trip", and "25 Years".Then we get the "Sonic Assains" impromptu gig headed up by Calvert and Brock, great stuff, and Mad Bob is in full rotation here. This is the best sounding version of that gig.Next is a wonderful acoustic version of "The Only Ones". There is a demo version of "The Dead Dreams of the Cold War Kid", that has a great raw feed sound. Alternate versions of "Flying Doctor", "25 Years", "Freefall", "The Age of Micro Man", and "Automoton" are included. They are all different enough from the final versions to make them interesting. "Assassination" (Some People Never Die) from "The Church of Hawkwind" makes an appearance. Ending the 2 disc set is "Digger Jam", which is a stream of consciousness lyrical flow from Calvert overtop of a great improv jam by the Lords.And if that wasn't enough, you get the tour booklet with the manifesto of Pan Transcendental Industries.*******************SummaryThis album is not space-prog, and some say it is not Hawkwind. Whatever the case, the music is top shelf, and the lyrics are some of the best rock lyrics you'll hear.The 2009 remaster is the version to get. It has the best sound and the best packaging and the best bonus cuts.

I went to see Hawkwind supported by Motorhead at St George's Hall in Bradford in 1977 but only purchased the Quark Strangeness & Charm LP then and the single; Psi Power / Death Trap. This album and PXR5 I seemed to have overlooked - or weren't widely stocked at the time. Surprising, as I also saw them at the Futurama gig in Leeds in 1979. The original album stands up to the two tracks I knew - and my 14 year-old really rates Psi-Power! The live tracks on disc 2 aren't as focussed, but then again it was one of the first shows they played. Obviously the gig was longer and the tracks selected as they are unreleased/different. Would have been good to hear the whole concert, especially to see what other songs they played (but they may be on one of those Collector Series of CDs) but adding those would have meant losing the other mixes/tracks on CD2 - which are excellent! So this is the Hawkwind that have lost the shackles that the 'great coats' enjoyed and brought them before a new teenage audience, before, somehow baffling, seemed to get lumped in with Heavy Metal - which they've never been. Loads more of their music to explore... The sound is really punchy - miles better than the lame sound on any of the previous releases (the compendium Epoch Release on EMI).

I was unsure about buying this after so long without listening to it. I was pleasantly surprised it still sounds as fresh and interesting as when I first bought it as a 17 year old. The extras on CD 2 are worthwhile as well and give an alternate listen to tracks I thought I knew well. The whole album does not fail to deliver and the quirkinees of songs like Flying Doctor with its faux Aussie accent are a pleasant change to some of the more meaningful songs. If asked to say which was my favourite I would have to say Psi Power which is powerful and the lyrics give some impression of what it would be like to read other people's minds. If you are into 70's Hawkwind don't delay buy today.

This was (originally) the nth purchase of Hawkwind material on vinyl for me - I was there at the Hammersmith Odeon in the early part of the eponymous tour. From my vague remembrances, the stage show was worth the ticket money and the music was no less. All good stuff.I have unfortunately missed previous re (re-re?) releases, so this is much appreciated - immensely. As was QS&C, PXR5, and AS...Is there a "Warrior on the Edge of Time" release on the horizon? Pretty please?

Ok i own the original bought in 1977 day of release been well looked after but even so a little noisy.. Playing on a 600 quid deck and 3.5 grands worth of kit and cables ....i listened to this twice its flat bumbly unspacious boomy no spatial resolution god dose the old one sound good !! Cover pretty runbish too ! Arrrgghh it sounds oh never mind sad i am

not the best by a long way however I have every cd since the beginning of their journey, can't get it right every time